In Winchester, we are blessed to have Christians from all the different churches doing good works across the City.
Below are just some of the great Christian initiatives that take place in Winchester. Hear what the people who make it happen have to say about them – in no particular order, here we go!
1. Winchester Street Pastors
“Teams of Street Pastors are out on the city’s streets every Friday and Saturday night, in uniform, from 10pm to around 3:30am, offering reassurance, safety and support through listening, caring and helping where we can. From the end of April 2015 we will be carrying out early evening community patrols in areas outside the city centre.” – Mark Hibbert-Hingston
2. Soup Service
“On the 7th January 2010 we began the Soup Service. We were responding to a prophetic word to reach the poor and marginalised. We received the love of God and felt compelled to step outside the walls of the church building to share his love and communicate hope.” – Tom Foster
3. Olive Branch Counselling
“The Olive Branch Christian Counselling Service has been running in Winchester for 18 years, offering affordable counselling to people of Winchester and around. The Olive Branch is based in an easily accessible city centre location. In 2014 the Olive Branch gave an average of 60 counselling sessions per week. People who come to see a counsellor at The Olive Branch find a confidential and non-judgmental place to explore whatever issues they wish to talk about and they can work with their counsellor for the length of time that they require.” – Ruth Mackintosh
4. Healing On The Streets
“Healing On The Streets (HOTS) is simply ordinary Christians from many different Winchester churches praying for people’s healing on the streets of Winchester.” – HOTS website
5. Winchester Churches Night Shelter
“Winchester Churches Nightshelter offers hope and help to the homeless from across Hampshire, relieving the suffering caused by homelessness. We have 17 beds and open 365 days a year offering an essential lifeline and first port of call to those in crisis. We provide high quality accommodation and food, a safe and caring temporary home, and specialist support to restore self-esteem, develop skills, and support people into longer-term accommodation and independent living.” – Hannah Gurnham
6. Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
“Christians Against Poverty puts our faith into action. Through our free advice, friendship and support, we give hope to people that are weighed down by their debts. How they got into difficulties is irrelevant. Everyone deserves a second chance and this is a practical way to show God’s love and forgiveness to them.” – Barry Smith
Perhaps you know of some Christian Initiatives in Winchester that we haven’t mentioned. If so, get in touch comms@hopewinchester.org and let us know for next time!